How to Lower Monthly Bills

Despite our best attempts to budget, some monthly bills surprise us. Monthly expenses for utilities, water and credit cards can spiral upward if we're not careful. There are steps you can take to lower monthly bills and free up some of your income.

Instructions

Lower Monthly Water Bill

1. Take shorter showers instead of baths. Purchase a water-efficient shower head. Ask family members to be mindful of running water. Turn the water off while brushing teeth, shaving or washing dishes.

2. Water the grass in the early evenings so that the water soaks into the lawn instead of evaporating in the sunlight. Set the sprinkler system to water in the evening or overnight. Install a moisture sensor that turns on the sprinklers only when needed.

3. Replace toilets with water efficient models. Place one or two bricks in the tank of older models to reduce the amount of water required for each flush.

4. Minimize the number of loads of laundry by eliminating small loads or use the water-saver feature on newer models. Replace the washer with a water-efficient model with the time comes.

5. Sweep the walks and driveway with a broom instead of hosing them down. Save 70 to 100 gallons of water each time.

Lower Monthly Gas and Electric Bill

1. Turn off lights when leaving the room and save about $10 a month. Install motion sensors in the pantry and laundry room to automatically turn the light off and on.

2. Replace incandescent bulbs with florescent bulbs, which use about 1/3 as much electricity. Expect to cut the monthly electric bill about $10 for every 6 bulbs changed to florescent.

3. Be smart with the heat. Keep doors closed. Caulk windows to reduce drafts. Close the vents in unused rooms. Install a programmable thermostat to save hundreds of dollars annually.

4. Take advantage of pleasant days. Turn off the air conditioning and open the windows to create a cross-breeze to air out the house. Install an attic fan to pull warm air up and out of the house.

5. Turn off the dishwasher right before it goes to the heat cycle. Leave the door closed and allow dishes to dry for a few hours.

6. Research a tankless water heater, which heats water on demands rather than storing it and reheating it in a tank. Save about 40% on the cost of natural gas to heat the water.

Lower Monthly Credit Card Bills

1. Maintain good credit. Pay credit cards on time to avoid late fees. Stay below the limit to avoid over-the-credit limit fees. Pay the entire amount due each month to avoid additional interest fees.

2. Contact each lender and request a review to lower the interest on the card. Inquire as the policy of each lender as to how many on-time payments must be submitted in order to warrant a review. Keep track of each account and make an annual request for a lower rate.

3. Be aware that most credit card companies can refund one or two late payment fees each year. Contact the lender when a payment goes missing or is late, and ask that the fee be reversed on an otherwise up-to-date account.

4. Understand the fees for taking a cash advance on a credit card. The interest rate and terms are different than when the card is for purchases.

5. Create a budget and stick to it. Deal in cash as much as possible. Save for major purchases and pay cash. Read the fine print on "same as cash" purchase offers.

Tips & Warnings

• Encourage everyone in the family to participate in the effort to lower the monthly bills. Set a reasonable goal and plan a special treat or outing for meeting the goal.